I I created The Bees Hive Academy because I know what it feels like to be excluded. As a child, I was bullied, misunderstood and made to question whether I belonged. That experience shaped my belief that no child should have to earn acceptance before they can learn. In Francistown, I also saw families struggling to find early education that could welcome neurodivergent children alongside their peers and respond to their individual needs. Some children need more time, different ways to communicate, sensory support or help from specialists, but their families deserve both access and belonging.
In 2016, I opened the Academy to offer an inclusive preschool where neurodivergent and neurotypical children learn and play together. We aim to recognise each child’s abilities early, adapt teaching to how they learn and work closely with caregivers. I wanted children to build confidence and friendships, and parents to hear what their children can do. Our guiding belief is simple: every child belongs and thrives when given the right support and opportunity.
The Bees Hive Academy is an inclusive early childhood school at our Francistown and Tati Siding locations. Neurodivergent and neurotypical children share classrooms, routines, play and celebrations. Teachers observe each child’s strengths, interests and areas where they need support, then adjust activities so children can take part in ways that work for them. Hands-on and sensory learning, creative arts, early literacy and structured play help children develop communication, social, physical and practical skills.
We work with families on personalised learning plans where needed and share observations about their child’s progress. If a child may benefit from additional assessment or specialist care, we help the family find appropriate referrals. Activities such as music, dance, swimming, computers, sign language and arts and crafts give children different ways to express themselves and discover their talents. Inclusion is visible in ordinary moments: a teacher adapting an activity, children learning alongside one another, and a family knowing their child is welcomed as they are.
We started in Francistown in 2016 and grew to a second location in Tati Siding in 2025. The Academy now serves more than 100 learners with a team of 14 staff. Growth has come through the trust of families, word-of-mouth referrals, school events and community activities that allow people to see children of different abilities learning and participating together. We have also worked with Special Olympics Botswana through its Young Athlete Program.
Our approach spreads through daily practice as well as enrolment. Teachers build experience in adapting activities and supporting individual learners; parents see what inclusive learning looks like and share that experience with other families. Since opening, the Academy has graduated more than 157 learners and supported 21 children through scholarships. We are exploring how to strengthen our facilities and learning resources and, over time, bring inclusive early education to more communities in Botswana.
As we listened to families and observed how children learned, we strengthened the Academy’s approach to individual support. Teachers now use more hands-on and sensory activities, adjust classroom experiences to different developmental needs and work with caregivers on personalised learning plans. We also help families seek specialist assessments and referrals when a child needs support beyond what a preschool teacher can provide.
We expanded from Francistown to Tati Siding, giving more families access to inclusive early education. Activities such as music, dance, swimming, computers, sign language and creative arts give children more ways to participate and show their strengths. We are also developing The Inclusion Hub Connect, a digital platform intended to improve access to developmental screening, support plans, referrals and caregiver resources. It is still in development, but it reflects a lesson from our school: families need practical support both inside and beyond the classroom.
If you are a parent or caregiver near Francistown or Tati Siding, contact The Bees Hive Academy and arrange a visit. Tell us about your child’s interests, strengths, communication style and any learning or developmental support they may need. You can see our classrooms, meet the team and ask how we adapt activities, work with families and connect children to specialist support when appropriate. Our team can then discuss enrolment and a suitable starting plan for your child.
If you are an educator, preschool leader or community organisation, reach out to explore a school visit or partnership. Start by looking at how children with different needs can participate in the same everyday activities. Talk with families, observe what helps each child engage and adapt your teaching as you learn.
If you are outside Botswana, you can still connect with us. We are developing The Inclusion Hub Connect, a digital platform intended to help families access developmental screening, personalised support plans, referrals and caregiver resources beyond our school locations. Get in touch to learn about its development and share what support would be most useful in your community.
